|
Author
|
Topic: Antiquorum Omegamania, 4/14-15, Geneva
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-10-2007 03:05 AM
   
On Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 in Geneva, Switzerland, Antiquorum will host Omegamania, an auction dedicated to Omega-brand watches. Among the 300 lots to be offered are many of the commemorative Omega Speedmaster Professionals issued to celebrate historic spaceflights, including: The auction also features one of 40 rare Speedmaster Missions sets (lot 235) that includes 22 Speedmaster Professionals, each with a different space patch on its dial from Gemini V to Skylab 3 (SL-4). Other featured space-theme lots include a first generation Mars Watch (lot 8) and a prototype Speedmaster Professional X-33 (lot 225), the latter the same model worn on the International Space Station. Two highlights however, deserve special attention:  - The "Mir Watch" (lot 242), one of seven 18k gold watches that stayed aboard the Russian space station Mir for 365 days to test its performance in microgravity; and
- The "Mattingly Watch" (lot 226), one of 28 18k gold Speedmasters created in 1969 to present to each of the active astronauts at the time, in this case Thomas Mattingly (it is unknown why Mattingly did not receive his watch but it is now the property of the Omega museum).
For more information about the auction, including an online catalog and bidding options, see: www.omegamania.com |
1202 Alarm
Member Posts: 436
From: Switzerland & France
Registered: Nov 2003
|
posted 04-10-2007 04:13 AM
I live in Geneva and didn't know about this :-)Usually, these sales are always a huge success with high prices. I'm sure it will be the case again this year. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
|
posted 04-10-2007 07:51 AM
The more Speedmasters I see, the more I like the classic black background Speedmaster with a black leather strap... |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 04-10-2007 04:23 PM
Do you not think Ken should be given "his" watch?Regards, Rick |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-10-2007 06:50 PM
It's only an assumption on my part (and I can check with Omega for the official word) but I suspect that Omega wouldn't put Mattingly's watch in the auction if he wasn't already aware that it was in their possession. I don't think they would sell it if he had expressed a desire to own it, but maybe I am wrong... |
capcom9
Member Posts: 48
From: Wesley Hills, New York
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 04-12-2007 07:38 PM
The gold Speedmasters shown are special editions that were produced specifically as gifts. However, it is the classic Omega steel Speedmaster model (originally introduced in 1957 and currently Omega model 3570.50) that is famous for being used during flight from as early as the Mercury program (Wally). They became NASA standard issue for astronauts during Gemini, went to the moon during Apollo and continue to be used by NASA. To this day, the 3570.50 is the only wrist watch approved for use during EVA by NASA. If you haven't ever worn one, I highly recommend it. You won't want to take it off! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-15-2007 11:37 PM
The "Mir Watch" (lot 242) sold for 37,760 CHF ($31,129).The "Mattingly Watch" (lot 226) sold for 56,640 CHF ($46,694). All 300 lots sold for a total that was "3 times the pre-sale estimate": $5.4 million. The results are published on Antiquorum's website. |
capcom9
Member Posts: 48
From: Wesley Hills, New York
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 04-16-2007 11:49 AM
Wow! Robert...was it you who purchased them? If so, you got the time?  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-16-2007 01:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by capcom9:
Wow! Robert...was it you who purchased them?
I wish... but it has made me treasure my X-33 and Speedmaster Professional even more than before. |
advertisement